IN his monthly 'Talking Point' column for the Hereford Times the Bishop of Hereford Richard Jackson gives his views on the misinformation surrounding the Covid-19 vaccination.

He says: I heard a story from a busy A&E department a few days ago.

Someone came in about to deliver her baby and was asked to take a Covid test. She refused.

Her husband came in, he refused as well, and was told he couldn’t come and visit his new born unless he had one.

He changed his mind, but when he was approached with the swab, he said, “you can’t stick me with that, you’re trying to plant a microchip in my head!”

I’ll confess that sort of idiocy drives me nuts. It’s also insulting to the NHS staff who have slogged their guts out for the last 18 months caring for Covid patients.

We know that how we emerge from the pandemic is about how many people are fully vaccinated. However, if people believe misinformation on the internet about Bill Gates controlling our minds with microchips, we may risk freedom for all.

I realise some people can’t have the vaccine for health reasons. They aren’t completely risk free, but the risk is less than getting Covid.

I might respond differently if someone I love had succumbed to side-effects, but when we need a 93% rate to get to herd immunity, not having it when you could is a bit selfish.

But that’s not the last word. There is huge danger in legislating against people’s free choices, even if you think they’re unwise.

If you truly believe in free speech you will be prepared to sacrifice anything to ensure someone you passionately disagree with can express their view, even if their view is patently absurd.

That’s the price you have to pay for a functioning democracy.

When we disappear down social media rabbit holes, talking only to people who agree with us, we demonise others and social totalitarianism isn’t far behind.

Christians in this country are not persecuted like they are in many others. However, there is no doubt that the environment for people of any faith is getting increasingly hostile.

Ask any teenager who goes to church what it’s like telling friends at school that you are Christian and you’ll see what I mean. But if I want to be tolerated for views I know many think are dated and implausible (I don’t agree), then I have to be tolerant of peoples’ right to believe silly things about vaccines and act on those beliefs.

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